Staunton Star - Times - Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years

Caffeine is in more products now than ever – soda, smoothies, candy, energy drinks, granola bars, water, etc. HSHS Medical Group and HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield shares how the stimulant affects our brain and body.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates 80 percent of U.S. adults consume caffeine daily. Although it can help with alertness, health experts say overdoing it can cause dangerous side effects including:

Increased risk of heart attack

Increased blood pressure

Insomnia

Skin aging and wrinkling

Headaches

Increased anxiety

One known effect of caffeine is ho...